International Outcry Over Hak Ja Han (83) Verdict

Growing international outcry over sentencing of octogenarian Mother Han as it sparks religious freedom alarm over South Korea’s backsliding

Tokyo, 14^th September 2026 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.

International Concerns Mount Over Prison Sentence for Hak Ja Han

NEWS Close-Up

by the International Affairs Department of Sekai Nippo

Religious Leaders and Human Rights Advocates Protest

Concerns are mounting in the international community over the prison sentence handed down by South Korean judicial authorities to Hak Ja Han (한학자), leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU, formerly the Unification Church). Politicians, religious leaders, and human rights advocates have successively criticized the South Korean authorities and called for a review of the verdict, citing concerns over freedom of religion, human rights, and due process.

See also Hak Ja Han: A Nobel Case for Courage and Peace

See also Mother Han’s Legal War: 2 Years of Uncertainty

See also Mother Han Seeking Bail and Release Extension

See also Tax Rules Put Overseas Religious Work at Risk

See also Longer Medical Leave Before 1st Appeal Hearing

Former U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, who served as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom during President Donald Trump’s first administration, pointed out [On X on 2nd September],

“South Korea’s backsliding on religious freedom should be concerning to everyone.”

Referring to the fact that the allegations forming the basis of the guilty verdict against Hak Ja Han came from a former senior official who had already been expelled from the organization, Brownback expressed concern that this “alarmingly shows that its judicial system is failing to live up to democratic standards.”

He further criticized the treatment of Hak Ja Han as though she were a serious criminal, despite having no prior criminal record and suffering from serious health problems.

Brownback also referred to reports that the Chinese Communist Party is supporting the campaign to prosecute Hak Ja Han, saying that Hak Ja Han and the Family Federation have long been known for their anti-communist activities, and the South Korean government should be wary of Chinese efforts to exert influence.

Voices defending Hak Ja Han have also emerged from religious circles. Rev. Mark Burns, one of President Trump’s religious advisers, expressed [on X on 3^rd September] “grave concern” over the verdict. Pointing out that Hak Ja Han is an international religious leader who has influenced millions of people around the world, Burns emphasized, “Governments must be extremely careful that criminal law is never used in a way that becomes a weapon against religious leadership, religious organizations, or people of faith.”

He further noted that the freedom to worship, organize, speak out, and participate in public life are fundamental human rights, and called on the South Korean government to guarantee due process for Hak Ja Han and a fair and transparent appellate trial.

Burns also appealed to religious leaders of all faiths – including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism – to stand together in defense of religious freedom, transcending their differences in religious belief. He said,

“Religious freedom cannot depend upon whether we agree with another person’s theology. You do not have to share someone’s beliefs to defend their right to believe them.”

Human rights organizations have likewise issued strong criticism.

The U.S.-based Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, headed by Katrina Lantos Swett, accused the South Korean government of targeting Hak Ja Han and described the verdict as “an unmistakable injustice”.

After questioning the credibility of testimony that triggered the prosecution resulting in the conviction, the foundation stated [on X on 3^rd September],

“It is shameful to witness a democratic government hounding and persecuting an 83-year-old religious leader like a criminal.”

The foundation further argued that Hak Ja Han’s “real crime” appears to be her principled opposition to communism. It also expressed serious concern over reports that the Chinese Communist Party is backing the prosecution, urging those who value religious freedom and democracy to closely monitor developments.

The foundation called on the South Korean government to uphold the values of a democratic nation committed to protecting religious freedom and argued that Hak Ja Han should be released while her appeal is being heard.

In South Korea, authorities have targeted not only Hak Ja Han, leader of the Family Federation, but also Pastor Son Hyun-bo (손현보) of the Presbyterian Segyero Church (세계로교회) and Lee Man-hee (95 – 이만희), chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, for investigation or prosecution. Against this backdrop, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have also expressed concern over the prison sentence imposed on Hak Ja Han, making the issue of religious freedom in South Korea a matter of growing international attention.

See also Hak Ja Han: A Nobel Case for Courage and Peace

See also Mother Han’s Legal War: 2 Years of Uncertainty

See also Mother Han Seeking Bail and Release Extension

See also Tax Rules Put Overseas Religious Work at Risk

See also No Charges Over Family Federation Probe Delay

See also Longer Medical Leave Before 1st Appeal Hearing

See also States Weaponizing the Law in War on Faiths

Featured image above: Rev. Mark Burns, Sam Brownback, and Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett. Photo: Sekai Nippo

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Related to growing international outcry: Mother Han: Beyond One Trial – the Wider Stakes

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Also related to growing international outcry: Religion Between Engagement and Withdrawal

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More, related to growing international outcry: Detention: Harsh Cell Conditions Spark Outcry

And more, related to growing international outcry: Official Statement on Recent Media Coverage

Also related to growing international outcry: Defense Challenges Core Claims of Indictment

And also related to growing international outcry: Unificationism Emerging as a World Religion

More, related to growing international outcry: Decline of Family Values Creates Social Crisis

And more, related to growing international outcry: Unificationism, Industry, and Cold War Survival

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Yet more, related to growing international outcry: “Church Closure” Risks in South Korea’s New Bill

Still more, related to growing international outcry: Mother Han Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2026

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And still more, related to growing international outcry: Korean Crisis: “True Democracy Must Serve Heaven”

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More, related to growing international outcry: Shocked Author: “Japan Ignores Basics of Justice”

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Even more, related to growing international outcry: Japan: Court Accused of Using Speculation

Also related to growing international outcry: MEXT’s Legal Spin and “Dissolution at All Costs”

Also related to growing international outcry: UN Report: Japan’s Lawfare Against Faith Minority

And also related to growing international outcry: Protesting No Transparency in Closed-Door Trial